Private bus fares on the Hyderabad to Bengaluru route have skyrocketed during the holiday season, with some operators charging up to ₹3,799 per trip. Despite government efforts to manage demand and control prices, travelers remain frustrated by the high costs and limited alternatives.

Key Highlights
– Private bus fares on Hyderabad-Bengaluru routes surge up to 200%.
– KSRTC increased fares slightly and announced additional buses
– Govt. announces surprise checks and penalties on private operators

Christmas and New Year’s festive cheer has brought an unwelcome surprise for travelers on the Hyderabad to Bengaluru route. Fares have skyrocketed, with some private operators charging as much as Rs 3,799 for a single trip.

This sharp increase, nearly three times the usual rates, has caused significant concern among commuters.

According to industry sources, the demand for bus travel spikes during the holiday season due to long weekends and fully booked trains. As a result, private bus fares skyrocket. However, the lack of effective price regulation has allowed private operators to capitalize on this surge.

Meena Rao, a Bengaluru-based tech professional, noted, “This has become a recurring problem during every festival and long weekend.”

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Government Response Under Scrutiny

As private bus fares skyrocketed, the Transportation Department has promised strict actions against violators, including penalties and surprise checks.

Officials from the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) have emphasized their efforts to deploy additional buses to mitigate the demand for private services.

“We aim to ensure affordability and accessibility for all passengers during peak seasons,” a KSRTC representative said.

Despite these measures, travelers like Rajesh Imdapur remain skeptical. “Announcements sound promising, but there’s little evidence of actual implementation,” he commented.

Meanwhile, even KSRTC fares have seen marginal increases, with prices rising from Rs 654 to Rs 711 for routes like Gonikoppal to Bengaluru.

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Private Operators Defend Surge Pricing

Private bus operators argue that surge pricing is essential to offset operational losses. A representative from the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Associations explained, “We face low occupancy rates on non-peak days. High-demand periods allow us to sustain our services.”

This justification, however, has done little to appease frustrated travelers. For many, the steep costs are compounded by the absence of alternative options, as train and flight tickets are often sold out during the holiday season.